European Parliament socialists, democrats reconfirm support for Moldova's European integration

Chisinau, 31 October /MOLDPRES/ - The Democrats and  Socialists of the European Parliament reconfirmed their support for Moldova's European integration. The message was conveyed to Prime Minister Iurie Leanca, by the members of the delegation of the Social Democratic group of the European Parliament (EP), on a visit to Chisinau, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.

The delegation includes Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament Vice-Presidents Knut Fleckenstein and Tanja Fajon, European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee Chair Andi Cristea, Party of European Socialists President, MEP Sergei Stanishev and Bulgarian parliamentarian Kristian Vigenin.

The sides discussed the reforms implemented to advance the European integration of Moldova. In this context, the prime minister said that Moldova appreciated the constant support of the European Parliament. "We are pleased that the European Parliament included the ratification of the agreement on the agenda of 12 - 13 November". Iurie Leanca also welcomed the election of Andi Cristea as chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.

The officials tackled the National Action Plan on the implementation of the Association Agreement and the implementation of the Policies Matrix for the budget support of visa liberalisation for 2014-2016.

"Starting from 28 April, more than 300,000 Moldovans have travelled to the EU without visas. Although it has only been half a year, our citizens have already formed a natural attitude to the possibility of free movement in the EU and cannot imagine things differently now", said the prime minister.

For their part, the delegation members highlighted the achievements of Moldova over the past years and reiterated their support for the country's European integration. The officials discussed also initiating the process of getting the status of candidate country for Moldova.

The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats has 191 members in the European Parliament.